FCO-IM (Fully Communication Oriented Information Modelling) is a successor of NIAM which is a modelling method based upon natural language. The FCO-IM superseded this method by introducing a few enhancements which made it much more powerful. FCO-IM contains a structural set of principles which are an addition to NIAM.

NIAM stands for Nijssen Information Analysis Method developed by Nijssen, Falkenberg and Meersman during the years from 1967-1977. From there Nijssen worked together with Halpin and developed ORM in Australia starting at 1989.

FCO-IM advantages compared to other traditional modelling methods are:

• Intense user participation leading to better validation
• 100% conceptual approach resulting in better design
• Full integrated documentation preventing maintenance issues
• Improved support for system development improving changes for a good system
• Reduces time-to-market for modelling, design and realisation.

CaseTalk supports this by offering:

• Storing of relevant facts in a centralised repository
• Immediate integrated maintenance on these facts
• Easy deriving of new facts
• Full reuse of existing facts
• Complete presentation of facts